Africans establish rule over Pune Marathon

The African countries — Ethiopia and Kenya — known for their dominance over long distance running events, justified their reputation as they swept all medals in the 25th edition of the Pune International Marathon (PIM) held here on Sunday.

Known for their late resurgence, Ethiopia’s Gudeta Gemechu Biratu clocked 2:13.20 minutes while his country-woman Birzaf Takele Gebru timed 2:38.41 minutes in the women’s section.
Meanwhile, in the 12th Asian Marathon Championship, Qatar’s Mohammed Abduh (2:17.34) and Ominami Hiromi of Japan (2:44.19) finished first in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

In a race which was flagged off late by 20 minutes, it was Ethiopia’s Fiseha Amare Welela who set the pace with Kenya’s Peter Mutua close behind him. However, these pace-setters gave up the race at the 10km mark.

At the 25km mark, Biratu, Tumicha Worana Horsa (Kenya) and Erihun Woldselassie Gebremedhin (Ethiopia) were the leaders.
The winners: (men) Gudeta Biratu (Eth), Cosmos Kyeva (Ken), Tumicha Horsa (Eth); (Asian) Mohmmed Abduh (Qatar), Kataoka Yusuke (Japan), Deepchand Saharan (India). (Women) Biraz Gebru, Chaltu Ture, Abebech Bekele (all Ethiopia); (Asian) Ominami Hiromi (Japan), Viktorija Poliudina (Kyrgyz), Chow Chi Ngan (Hong Kong).